I have to buy myself a laptop, but since this is my first time getting a laptop rather than desktop, I don't know where to start. I know you recommend eCollege for desktops, but is there a reputable place (or places) where I can find, or can build, a decent laptop for myself?

I will want to play some games on it, but only casual or adventure games, nothing else.

It would be great if I could get some suggestions on how and where to start.

Thanks.

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The answer is....chocolate! Who cares what the question is.....

"Only casual or adventure games" still requires more of a video card than most laptops are equipped with, so be careful what you buy. Be sure not to buy a laptop with Intel graphics. You can't expect to add a video card to a laptop. I'd also recommend avoiding "Optimus graphics," since apparently it doesn't work with detecting the video requirements of all adventure games.

I'm not sure what's on the market right now. Inland knows more about using laptops for gaming than I do, as do some of our Gameboomers members.

Can you give us your budget?

Are you hoping to buy one from a Best Buy or Staples or other local shop or are you OK with buying online.

Some laptops support a downgrade to Windows 7 and some do not. From what I've been seeing, most do not.

Although I agree with you sticking with Windows 7 if at all possible, if it isn't, don't be too intimidated by Windows 8. I've already started a Windows 8 and Gaming thread here.

I'm not at all familiar with the CyberPower custom built laptops, but this is a very good one for $899 and it lets you choose which operating system you want. It has a 15.6" screen. You could very easily knock $95 off the price by selecting the Core i5 processor instead of the Core i7 and dropping the RAM to 8 GB instead of 16 GB. That would still be well within what you want to use it for.

Draclvr,I'm going to use this computer for everyday use, not just gaming. I would have to add Microsoft Office, with Excel, etc, which is what I usually have to do when I buy a computer, but does this notebook have things in it that a hardcore gamer would want, but that I wouldn't need?I'm just curious, since it's described as a "gaming" notebook.

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The answer is....chocolate! Who cares what the question is.....

but does this notebook have things in it that a hardcore gamer would want, but that I wouldn't need?I'm just curious, since it's described as a "gaming" notebook.

Other than the 16 GB of RAM, not really.

You will need a video card for gaming. The Geforce GT 640M that comes with this one isn't the fastest card out there, but should be fine for adventure games. Just for comparison, the Alienware 17x comes with a minimum of a GT 660M, and even the 14x comes with a minimum of a GT 650M. So I'd say the 640M would be about right for what you're asking it to do.

An action gamer might go for a faster hard drive, even if it was a smaller hard drive. It's up to you if you want a smaller drive. If you save home movies on your computer, you may want to keep the default 750GB drive.

Or were you talking about software? I don't see any extra software listed for the laptop.

You have to keep going all the way to the end or click on the software tab... they have Office 2010 Home and Student (Word, Excel, Power Point and One Note) for $105. Office 2010 Home and Business (the other programs + Outlook) for $150 and the full Office 2010 Suite for $299.

As Jenny says, that GT 640M isn't the fastest, but it will suit your needs just fine. So will the Core i5 processor. 16 GB of RAM is massive overkill for what you want to do with this laptop, so dropping it to 8 GB is still a lot of RAM.

Now, if you were going to be playing hard core action and FPS games, I'd get an even better video card and even up the Core i7 processor to a faster one!

That link was just an example of something you could customize and still get Windows 7. Look around at Dell and HP or wherever and see what they have that can compare.